In Your experiance what are best ...

[Chowan]

class A diesel manufactures as well as the one to stay away from. Who best stands behind their products . I do understand that there are always the holidayer friday made rv and I am asking a loaded question. I am not asking a ford vs chevy question just which are the top names to think about and names to scratch off the list to save time. I am new to rving and have never owned an rv of any kind. The family has always tent camped. I am a blank slate. I have no opinions what so ever. I don't know what is good and what is cheap. I am not looking for a million dollar rv, please keep this in mind when sharing your experience. Don't want this to turn into some battle so if you feel more comfortable pm me you answers. Thanks
I did try a search but could not find any info.

[Chowan]

Thanks for the help Mr Mark, Smitty, and Dahkota. As my search has literally only begun I will take advantage of all your help.

[Smitty77]

Go visit a few dealers, and RV shows, and kick many tires. Go in and sit down, both with he slide opened/closed, and spend sometime visualizing how the two of you will move around in a coach, and sit, and TV angle.

Read up here, IRV2, and other boards, on threads like this (Many, many threads averrable:)!). Learn Pro's and Con's on Side vs Rear radiator; two slides vs more then two slides; tag vs non tag; Jake Compression Brake vs Pac/Exhaust vs Retarder Transmission; propane water heater and heating vs Aqua/Hydro Hot, etc., etc.

Come up with a list of Must Have's and Nice to Have's. Pick a budget range, and then use RVT and PPL, and others, to get some ideas on prices. Narrow your manufacturer and specific models down to a small list. Then start your shopping.

I'm a firm believe in 'Dropping years to remain within budget range, and buy the best quality coach that you can find, that meets your needs.'. Quality lasts, and becomes a solid foundation to modify and upgrade to your personal likes. (Maybe keep a hunk of budget to cover upgrades.).

I also recommend buying the biggest engine you can find in the models you like. They work easier, and usually give you the same or better MPG. They also usually give you a safety edge on a bit more power, and higher braking house power vis the compression braking.

In no particular order:
-Alpine
-Travel Supreme
-Newmar (Mountain Aire and up)
-Monaco (Dynasty and up, and equivalent HR line)
-Beaver Patriot Thunder and up
-Foretravel
-Country Coach (Allure on up)
-Entegra
-Bluebird/Wanderlodge
** On Edit: Meant to include American Coach too. And again, for sure not a complete list. At a bit lower price point but well liked by their owners, add in Rexhall's Roseair and Tripple E too.

This is a partial list of higher quality and good bang for the buck in gently 3-10 years old coaches.

Happy hunting,
Smitty

[dahkota]

Tiffin, Fleetwood, Newmar, and Winnebago are probably your best bets.

When looking, floorplan is king. How things are arranged makes a huge difference. We have a watchable tv and an accessible bed, bath, and kitchen even when the slides are in. This isn't always the case and is probably the #1 complaint about a particular floorplan.

When people say its a ford vs. chevy thing, that is because all RVs use the same suppliers for their components. There are only so many manufacturers of water pumps, slide gear, landing gear, satellite dishes, etc. and all manufacturers use them. The difference between coaches is the house and the quality of the materials. Particle board vs. wood, leather vs. vinyl, etc. That is where the premium comes in. You will pay more if you want more.

[Mr_Mark1]

Chowan, if we were looking with your parameters, I would look at the following...

Monaco (Dynasty, Executive, Signature)... pre 2009.. Cummins engine.
Beaver
Newmar
Tiffin
American Coach/Fleetwood

A top-of-the-line unit of any manufacturer gives you all the amenities (Aqua-Hot, tile floors, Big TV's, residential fridge, washer and dryer, large battery capacity, etc.).

Also, a tandem axle will give you a lot more CCC (cargo carrying capacity) and generally a better ride. Tandem's usually start at 42 feet. Monaco did make a 39 ft. Dynasty w/tandem axle at one time (floorplan called the 'Bishop').

Good luck,
MM.

On edit: Motorhome Specialist in Texas has a 39 ft., 2009 Dynasty (Bishop) w/11,000 miles, 4 slides and a 500 hp ISM Cummins. Looks clean in the pics.

http://www.mhsrv.com/2009-monaco-dynasty-w4-slides-bishop-iv-used-rv-for-sale-used-diesel-pusher-tx-i456460

[Chowan]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Not knowing your budget you are likely to get a lot of answers that will be of no use to you in your search. You asked the best and that would be the entire Prevost and Newell line. There are many of these available in the used market that could easily fit all of your needs and budget. If you want new you are going to pay WAY more than necessary, especially when you are looking for your first RV.
As you move down the line a ways you will find that Tiffin and Newmar are likely the next best as far as standing behind their product. Even something like the used Foretravels and Bluebird/Wanderlodge units have excellent reputations.
If you are planning to spend $250,000 you can get such a good quality used coach that it makes anything new at any build level pale in comparison.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will take a look at these companies. Very helpful

[Chowan]

thanks Richard and Halmfamily(really thinking class a though) Just went to the American coach. They look really nice.

[RLS7201]

Quality ver. $$ is always a delicate issue. For my money, I would seriously look at the American Coach line. Rarely do you see posts here about an American Coach problem. Also Country Coach made some good stuff.

Richard

[Chowan]

Ok thanks for the replies. I will buy used. 38-40ft. We will be full timing for at least one year.. but probably a couple of years as we will be on a very extended vacation. Right now I am ignorant as to what the must haves would be (maybe some of you can educate me) but as of now I am thinking must haves would be 2slides self leveling, I can do some repairs. if all Rvs are Ford vs Chevy you are saying that all are equal in quality. I think that this is not the case. But I don't know, I do not know the RV world. Not sure how this info really applies to which are the better name companies in the RV world. I would say I am a lower to midrange buyer...again not a million or 2 dollar buyer.

[Halmfamily]

We've been looking at Dynamax Super C. They run new around $180000. Really like the idea of the engine up front and much easier to work on. Might be another option for you.

[wolfe10]

Yes, the more details you give us about your needs/wants, the better we can answer.

Price range.

Size range.

Full time/part time/tail gate.

Any "must haves".

How mechanical are you-- will affect older high quality vs newer entry level.

Without details, many answers will boil down to "Ford vs Chevy".

[Bill_Satellite]

Not knowing your budget you are likely to get a lot of answers that will be of no use to you in your search. You asked the best and that would be the entire Prevost and Newell line. There are many of these available in the used market that could easily fit all of your needs and budget. If you want new you are going to pay WAY more than necessary, especially when you are looking for your first RV.
As you move down the line a ways you will find that Tiffin and Newmar are likely the next best as far as standing behind their product. Even something like the used Foretravels and Bluebird/Wanderlodge units have excellent reputations.
If you are planning to spend $250,000 you can get such a good quality used coach that it makes anything new at any build level pale in comparison.

[bluwtr49]

Chowan wrote:
class A diesel manufactures as well as the one to stay away from. Who best stands behind their products . I do understand that there are always the holidayer friday made rv and I am asking a loaded question. I am not asking a ford vs chevy question just which are the top names to think about and names to scratch off the list to save time. I am new to rving and have never owned an rv of any kind. The family has always tent camped. I am a blank slate. I have no opinions what so ever. I don't know what is good and what is cheap. I am not looking for a million dollar rv, please keep this in mind when sharing your experience. Don't want this to turn into some battle so if you feel more comfortable pm me you answers. Thanks
I did try a search but could not find any info.

New or Used???

Lots of really good older coaches available that are not currently made such as Beaver, Travel Supreme, Country Coach, and etc.

[Chowan]

Thanks for the help sch911.

[sch911]

Those are all >$1m coaches.

Look at Newmar, Tiffin, Monaco/HR for more down to earth MH top manufacturers.

Brands like: Mountain Aire, Essex, King Aire, Allegro, Phaeton, Camelot, Holiday Rambler, etc.

[Chowan]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Liberty Coach and Marathon Coach, are the manufacturer's names. Search either on the internet and you will get to their website.

I don't have 2million for an RV.Please read my original question. Thanks. I am sure Marathon and Liberty are great though.